Thompson has yet to make headway with finding a replacement for Peter Hirsch, with names moving in and out of the frame as negotiations ebb and flow.

The Blaze boss needs the reputation he has created for his team to be a decisive factor in attracting top names.

But he has admitted that the weak pound to the dollar is proving a problem.

“We started offering places on a university course as part of the deal, and that still attracts some players, but everyone offers them now so it doesn’t help us stand out.

“I haven’t got any more slots to offer anyone on this year’s team.

“It’s hard with the pound being so weak now, we are all struggling.

“In the past someone playing in the minor leagues could have earned a bit more by coming over here.

“But that’s not the case at the moment.”

Thompson said he has been talking to up to five players to fill the berth created by Peter Hirsch’s decision not to return to Blaze and instead take up a post with the Danish national ice hockey federation.

“Agents know about Coventry and players do too. They know we are a winning side and that helps a lot.

“The fact that it’s good for families, we have less travel and that players aren’t traded around so much is attractive for guys.

“But we have a name as a winning franchise and that’s important for us.”